Dark skies are disappearing over the planet at an exponential rate due to an ever-increasing presence of artificial lighting and this illumination is negatively impacting the once-predictable earthly rhythm of day and night.
Levi Gould is one of five Minnesota youths headed to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland, to contend for the title of "Nation’s Best Speller" and a chance to bring home a $50,000 grand prize.
After a two-year hiatus, the curtain is set to rise again for the Fergus Falls School of Dance (FFSD) Spring Concert. No one could be happier than the school’s seniors, who will have one more chance to dazzle the audience with their footwork and finesse.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Memorial Day celebrations began to spring up on local levels just after the Civil War. But a Civil War hero from Illinois was the first to make it official.
Reverend Harold E. Peterson was ordained into the ministry at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stone Bank, Wisconsin, 56 years ago and has since served as a pastor in six different parishes over his extensive career; he has also spent years on mission fields ranging from Ethiopia to Madagascar.
The excitement is right around the corner, graduation for our class of 2022. With that comes many different feelings, excitement, stress and anxiety about what is next. We know that the 175-plus students who will graduate this year from Fergus Falls High School, iQ Academy and the ALC have i…
This spring has been one of the best of my life. As this is my first ever column in the Fergus Falls Daily Journal, I would like to extend a warm Hello and G’day to all who read these pages!
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologists will soon begin their annual spring electrofishing assessments. What is electrofishing and how does it work?
Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was originally known, commemorates and honors military personnel who were killed while in active duty in the armed forces.
The eleventh hour has passed and the Minnesota Legislature was unable to pass a bonding bill or pass a tax bill during the 2022 legislative session.
In what could lead to disastrous consequences, boat owners are being sternly warned to not use E15 in their vessels.
As this region begins to welcome a reticent Minnesota spring, it can be tempting to become complacent in maintaining a safety kit fit for a warmer time of the year.
Gov. Tim Walz spent the majority of the last week of the regular Minnesota legislative session signing bills and announced a completed framework to define end of the session budget negotiations.
Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC), just outside of Pelican Rapids, hosted an event on May 22 with graduate students from the University of Minnesota, together with Associate Professor Gabe Chan. The group stopped by LREC to tour their facilities and take part in a formal presentations …
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization was founded in 1920 with the goal of providing ongoing support to veterans and their families, ranging from arranging transportation to and from medical appointments to assisting with filing benefits claims. In 2021 alone, veterans represente…
Every terrapin, snapper, and slider can pop his head out of his shell and smile.
In a recent release from Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, the legislator declares a perfect scorecard voting attendance record. What does this mean?
Otter Tail County’s Youth Workforce Navigation Program will be receiving a major boost this year in the form of a grant to the tune of $100,000.
Formerly referred to as the Perham to Pelican Rapids Trail, the Heart of the Lakes Trail in Otter Tail County welcomes visitors and residents to one of the most stunningly beautiful and picturesque areas in West Central Minnesota.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce an expansion of their Entrepreneur Initiative to include an Entrepreneur MasterMind Series. This series is a free monthly peer-to-peer mentoring session for innovators, entrepreneurs and existing business owners to share lessons learned. Thes…
Greg Neumann, a native Texan diagnosed with cancer, was finally able to experience Target Field and watch his home team best the Twins 5–0 thanks to his “dream team” at the Lake Region Healthcare Cancer and Research Center (CCRC).
In a moving ceremony, the Edward J. Devitt U.S. Courthouse in Fergus Falls reopened in grand style on May 18.
The Fergus Falls school district will be celebrating the careers of 18 soon-to-be retired teachers, special education providers and support staff in the coming weeks.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Service dogs can be a valuable piece of medical equipment for individuals living with a variety of medical conditions. From mobility issues such as cerebral palsy to blindness, seizure disorders and even food allergies, these dogs can be the difference between independence and freedom for so…
Question: Can someone with a motorcycle permit have their small dog riding on the motorcycle or would that be considered a passenger? We have already purchased a helmet and leather jacket for this lucky pup! Thank you for your response.
Teaching from the heart — it’s something parents desire from their children’s teachers. It’s something Richard Risbrudt has offered the Fergus Falls community for decades; not just at one school, but two.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Gov. Tim Walz recently signed into law a comprehensive veterans bill that aims to end veteran homelessness, fund veterans homes and veterans cemeteries and provide service bonuses to veterans and Gold Star families.
Defendants in a court of law who are declared incompetent may soon find themselves moving through the court system faster with a new bill that was just passed in the Minnesota House.
The Fergus Falls City Council met on May 16 and started the process of determining what the next steps will be after council members learned that due to rising project and material costs, the original plans for Phase II of the Downtown Riverfront Project would have to be scrapped because of …
A Dalton man who was originally charged with 2nd-degree attempted murder for an incident involving gunfire and a countywide shelter in place order on Sep. 3, 2021, has taken a plea deal in Otter Tail County District Court.
Bonae Vasquez has spent four long years navigating the intense vetting process of U.S. citizenship and after a recent Oath of Allegiance ceremony the dream of becoming a United States citizen has finally come to fruition.
As the Minnesota legislative session nears an end, Gov. Tim Walz announced the passage of a few bills, including one that will provide $300 million to advance Minnesota’s response to the opioid crisis and a comprehensive veterans bill. During a visit to a metro area school, Walz also highlig…
It has been confirmed that a body was extracted from the Otter Tail River near Hannah Park today.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
A Fergus Fall eye care practice has been bestowed with a national prestigious award.
The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a large barn fire that occurred at approximately 10:07 a.m. on May 13.
Local longtime volunteer and guardianship advocate Joyce Lacey of Ashby has decided to make a run for the top spot in the state — the governor’s office.
A local ambulance company has made a big donation to the Ukraine War effort with ambulances they have donated.
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center recently opened an exhibit by local artist Kandace Creel Falcón, of Erhard.
Despite the Minnesota Senate passage of a paid leave plan, the DFL says it does not come close to funding what is needed to make a significant impact in the state.
In a stunning development at the May 11 regular session of the Fergus Falls City Council, it was learned that due to rising project and material costs, Phase II of the Downtown Riverfront Project could look much different going forward because of a projected $3 million gap in funding.
You’re invited! The Fergus Falls Kennedy Secondary School theater department is proud to present this spring’s play, “I Am Frankenstein.”
Got a sweet tooth? The folks at Mae’s Freeze Dried Sweets and Treats can help with that. The freeze dried candy and sweets shop officially opened on April 18.
Phoutthasa Prathane, 36, with a current address in Warroad has pleaded guilty in Otter Tail County District Court to attempted 2nd-degree murder and 1st-degree burglary, with three other charges being dismissed. The deal calls for a 183 month prison sentence, roughly 15 years.
A long time area agricultural event and trade show recently decided to end their run.
One of the best months of a school year is here, May. I know what you might be thinking, I am excited that school is wrapping up and summer is almost here. Although that is a good guess, the actual reason I look forward to the month of May is because it is the time of year to recognize stude…
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is warning people to avoid disturbing or touching deer fawns, which are born around this time of year.
It was another busy week for Gov. Tim Walz last week as he celebrated direct payments to frontline workers, purchased his fishing license, proclaimed small business week and announced investments for urban parks and equitable outdoor access.
You may have heard it said — minutes count when a stroke happens — and it’s true. Time is brain when it comes to strokes. This is because a stroke starves brain tissue of oxygen. This tissue begins to die in as little as four minutes after the beginning of a stroke and when brain tissue dies…
For four local veterans, it was a time to be officially honored in the nation’s capital — The Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota. The flight departed for Washington D.C. the morning of Apr. 30 from Hector International Airport.
In a huge development announced at the University of Minnesota on May 6, the 2026 Special Olympics are coming to Minnesota.
It’s no secret that the need for early childhood education, and childcare in general, is in high demand right now. The city of Perham is soon going to see a new addition to the community’s preschool options.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Parker’s Prairie man in connection to alleged sexual abuse that occurred over a number of years.
On the surface, West Central Initiative (WCI) , headquartered in Fergus Falls, is a regional community foundation that serves nine counties in west central Minnesota: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin, as well as the portion of White Earth Nation (B…
A disturbing scam circulating around right now is commonly referred to as the student loan forgiveness scam.
The House has concluded conducting discussions and votes on preliminary approval of this session’s omnibus packages that cover the spectrum, from education to taxes, public safety and beyond.
Question: My daughter just got in a crash recently. Nobody got hurt but it got us talking on how important it is to know what to do after something like this. Can you write about that?